Peter Jackson, director and producer of The Hobbit, continues his video diary narrating the rather stunning scenes at the shoot. The dwarf and wizard actors have arrived and are talking through and visualizing their parts in the movie.

Director and producer Peter Jackson takes time out from filming The Hobbit to show us around the set and the busy wardrobe and props departments. We get an idea of the scale of the preparations that go into filming an epic blockbuster movie.

Pre-production is finally over, and today is the first day of the shoot. The cast and crew come together for a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony, and Peter Jackson and members of the cast offer words of thanks and encouragement.

Let's find out more about an American activity aimed at school kids: the spelling bee. What is it and how does it work?

Sigrid talks about "The Elementary Spelling Book" by Noah Webster, which was the basis for the American English dictionary and a big part of the development of spelling bees in the United States.

Sigrid explains how a spelling bee normally proceeds. There are fixed rules and there are options.

Native New Yorker John S. tells us about a work of art that awaits travellers at one New York Subway station.

John shows us some impressive murals in New York, all of which are by Brazilian street artist Kobra and depict famous artists, musicians, and historical figures.

John visits the Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Manhattan's Central Park, where he ponders the meaning of Lewis Carroll’s curious and imaginative literary work.

In the middle of Manhattan, there is an ancient Egyptian monument with carved hieroglyphics. John informs us of its vital statistics and lasting significance.

The "metaverse" is the latest buzzword in technology and business. But do you know what it means?

Actor Tom Cruise joins talk show host Graham Norton on the couch and co-stars Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly by video to discuss the release of Top gun: Maverick thirty years after the original movie Top Gun.

Miles Teller claims that Tom Cruise never warned him about the rigors of making a new Top Gun movie, and Jennifer Connelly admits to a secret fear she felt unable to reveal before filming began.

Tom Cruise tells about his experience flying in an F-14 fighter jet. It's an experience not for the faint of heart, and requires a strong stomach!

Abi takes us through possible creative uses of different types of paper, which she has learned about through her experience as a filmmaker.